Defensive end Eli Howard has been one of Texas Tech’s most pleasant surprises and disruptive defenders this season, and now the Red Raiders will get to enjoy his presence longer.

The NCAA has granted Howard a waiver pertaining to the circumstances of his transfer from North Texas to Tech, a Tech spokesman said, restoring a year of his eligibility. On Monday, Howard was reclassified from a sophomore to a redshirt freshman, meaning he will have three years remaining to play after this season.

Through Tech’s media relations department, Howard declined to discuss the circumstances his case was based upon.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound San Angelo Central graduate leads the Red Raiders in sacks and tackles for loss with 5 1/2 and 8 1/2, respectively. He’s also shown a knack for disrupting passing lanes.

Howard has three pass breakups, and has tipped four other throws that can’t be credited as breakups.

Three of the latter came against Kansas: Jayhawks receiver Chase Harrell caught a pass Howard deflected, and Tech nickel back Justus Parker intercepted a pass Howard tipped. Still in that game, Howard knocked down a backward pass that linebacker Riko Jeffers recovered — officially scored a fumble with Howard getting credit for the caused fumble.

Against Kansas State, Howard swatted a pass high into the air that went back to Wildcats quarterback Alex Delton, who was immediately tackled for an 11-yard loss.

Against Houston, he knocked the ball out of quarterback Kyle Allen’s hand on a pass rush and teammate Tony Jones recovered.

Howard signed with North Texas out of high school, but transferred after the 2015 fall semester and joined the Red Raiders for the 2016 spring semester.

Point of emphasis

Tech’s 1-for-4 showing in the red zone during the Red Raiders 27-3 loss Saturday to TCU dropped the Red Raiders to No. 127 in FBS in red-zone scoring percentage. Tech has scored 64.7 percent of the time inside the red zone. Only San Jose State and Kent State are worse.

That was the first issue Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury brought up during his weekly news conference Monday.

"In our league, you’re not going to win any games doing that," he said. "That’s an area we’ve got to focus on this last week and get a lot better down there."

Though the red zone starts at the opponent’s 20-yard line, Tech was inside the TCU 30 on six series and came away with only a field goal. The five failures consisted of two missed field goals, two turnovers and a turnover on downs.

"When you miss 10 field goals, that’s one of them," he said. "And just not calling great plays down there, not executing at a high level. There’s a number of things."

King probable

Kingsbury said running back Tre King should be OK to play this week. King came out of the Nov. 11 Baylor game early in the fourth quarter with a lower-leg injury and was done for the day against TCU after he hurt a shoulder on the first series.

Justin Stockton picked up the slack with his fifth career 100-yard rushing performance.

Kingsbury didn’t give definitive updates when asked about defensive backs Willie Sykes and Jaylon Lane. Sykes has missed three consecutive games, and Lane hasn’t played in three of the past five.

Praise for Stockton

After watching game video, Kingsbury had more good things to say about Justin Stockton’s game against TCU. On senior day, Stockton carried a career-high 21 times for 124 yards.

TCU was ranked No. 2 in the FBS in rushing defense going into the game and No. 3 after, behind Wisconsin and Alabama.

"I thought it was the best game he’s had here, actually, just running the football," Kingsbury said. "He’s had some great games receiving and done some good things. But running against a good defense, finishing runs, making people miss in space, I thought he had one of his most complete games."

Stockton had missed two of the previous three games with what Kingsbury said stemmed from a head injury. His performance Saturday pushed him back into the team rushing lead. Stockton’s run for 649 yards this season, Tre King for 575.

Missed opportunity

Tech couldn’t do much with a size advantage on the outside Saturday. TCU cornerback Ranthony Texada, listed at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, spent a lot of time across from Tech’s T.J. Vasher, who’s 6-5 and 192.

"We definitely saw that," Kingsbury said. "We weren’t able to hit any of the throws."

Then again, Texada was Associated Press second-team All-Big 12 last year and is tied for the conference lead in passes defended this year with 13.

Vasher caught one pass for 7 yards, making his career total 21 for 343.

"We weren’t able to give him a chance," Kingsbury said. "Either (he) fell down on a route or we overthrew it or threw it out of bounds. When you have that type of matchup, you have to give him a chance."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.